| Scott MacFarlane | |
| Birth Place: | Highland, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation: | journalist, investigative reporter |
| Years Active: | 1996–present |
| Education: | Syracuse University |
| Employer: | CBS News |
Scott MacFarlane is an American journalist who works for CBS News as an investigative reporter and Congressional correspondent. He previously worked at Cox-TV and later as investigative reporter at WRC-TV, a local NBC affiliate in Washington, D.C.
MacFarlane grew up in Highland, New York, near Poughkeepsie and attended Highland High School.[1] [2]
MacFarlane graduated summa cum laude from Syracuse University’s S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications in 1998. He majored in broadcast journalism and political philosophy.[3] [4] During his undergraduate years, he worked at WJPZ and WAER FM stations on campus.[5] MacFarlane was later named to both of their radio Halls of Fame.
Since 2021, MacFarlane has covered Congress for CBS News and federal criminal cases, including the prosecutions of US Capitol riot defendants. MacFarlane was the CBS correspondent who reported on the assassination attempt of Donald Trump on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. His reporting detailed how he and others at the rally sought cover beneath press scaffolding.
MacFarlane was the CBS correspondent who reported the criminal charges against Trump in New York City and the Trump 2020 election conspiracy case in Washington, D.C.
MacFarlane's career began as a reporter at WTVH-TV in Syracuse, New York. He also worked at WKIP-AM in Poughkeepsie, WSYR-AM and WYYY-FM radio in Syracuse, WWMT-TV in Michigan and at WKBD/WWJ-TV in Detroit.[6]
MacFarlane previously worked in D.C. at Cox-TV, Sirius XM radio and WRC-TV, a local NBC affiliate. He worked at WRC-TV for 8 years, interviewing U.S. presidents, dozens of U.S. senators, governors and public officials.[7] He joined Cox media in 2005.[3] He was named congressional correspondent for CBS News in December 2021.[8] [9]
MacFarlane has prominently covered the aftermath of the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol by interviewing several defendants and members of the House committee investigating the attack.[10] [11] [12]
In 2017, MacFarlane produced a full length documentary titled "The Miracle Microphone: The Impossible History and History Makers of WAER Radio" chronicling the 70-year history of WAER-FM on Syracuse University campus.[13] The documentary won New York state AP Press Association award in 2019.[14] [15] [16]
MacFarlane has won over 20 regional Emmy and Edward R. Murrow Awards throughout his career.[12]
In 2001, MacFarlane earned the Wade H. McCree award for excellence in reporting on the justice system while working at the WKBD/WWJ-TV in Detroit.[17] In 1999, he won first place in the national William Randolph Hearst Broadcast News Competition.[6]
He was inducted to the WJPZ Hall of Fame and the WAER Hall of Fame in 2017.[18]
Macfarlane is married to Lisa, who he met on the first day of college at Syracuse.[6] The couple has two sons.[7]